Devine Scripture

Matthew 2:23

What does Matthew 2:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 2:23 means

Joseph, following God's warning, settled his family in Nazareth of Galilee. This seemingly humble and obscure town becomes significant because Matthew connects it to another prophecy: "that he should be called a Nazarene." While no single Old Testament verse explicitly states this, it is understood as a broader fulfillment of prophetic themes, likely pointing to the Messiah's humble origins or His being despised (related to the Hebrew _netzer_, meaning "branch" or "sprout" in Isaiah 11:1). It highlights Jesus' identification with the common, often overlooked, people and places, yet fulfilling God's complex plan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he came and was living in a town named Nazareth: so that the word of the prophets might come true, He will be named a Nazarene.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and coming, he dwelt in a city named Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophets, that `A Nazarene he shall be called.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and came and dwelt in a town called Nazareth; so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, He shall be called a Nazaraene.

Context

This verse describes the final settlement of the Holy Family in Nazareth, directly fulfilling the divine guidance given in the previous verse. This choice of residence is explicitly tied to the fulfillment of prophecy, concluding the early narrative of Jesus' life with a final detail establishing His Messianic identity and humble beginnings. It brings the chapter's focus on prophecy to a close.

v.22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,

v.23This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 24:5

    For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

  • Judges 13:5

    for, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come upon his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • Matthew 1:22

    Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

  • John 18:5

    They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

  • John 18:7

    Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

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